AGC's counsel are expected to argue in court his conduct amounted to contempt and will seek the possible penalties.

MrThuraisingam, to be represented by Senior Counsel Ang Cheng Hock at the hearing, said yesterday: "I made a mistake, and I unconditionally apologised for and withdrew what I wrote. As I made a mistake and am in the wrong, I will accept responsibility for it in Court and respect the outcome.

"I would like to put this behind me quickly and focus on fighting hard for my cases in court pro bono under the Legal Assistance for Capital Offences Scheme (Lasco)."

He has represented accused people facing the gallows under the scheme and last year received the Lasco Award for his service to the scheme.

Earlier this week, the Court of Appeal ordered a review of its decision two years ago to convict Nigerian Ilechukwu Uchechukwu Chukwudi after he was acquitted of bringing nearly 2kg of methamphetamine into Singapore.

MrThuraisingam, who defended Ilechukwu, had filed a criminal motion to reopen the case by relying on a psychiatric report prepared by the prosecution for sentencing arguments.

The contempt case against him may be one of the last under the common law, which is based on precedents, before codified contempt laws under the Administration of Justice (Protection) Act passed by Parliament last year kick in.

The Law Ministry said the Act is not yet in force and will commence in the near future.